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cbonet
Participant
July 9, 2020
Answered

Could not find the Linked File - Mac and PC

  • July 9, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 3653 views

Hi, I'm having issues with broken links between Mac and PC in my adobe apps (Indesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro). We have one iMac and one Windows PC acessing a server. 

 

The problem is the images we “link” within the file. We have to “re-link” the file each time one person opens it on a different computer. 

 

When we embed the file, it works just fine, and opening the files within the "recent" files works with no problem.

 

The PC sees the linked file as Z:/ Graphics/18-006/Images

And the Mac the linked file as /Volume/Server/ Graphics/18-006 / Images

 

The disconnect seems to be happening where the PC is seeing the Mac "Server" as Z:

 

Any help would be AMAZING! 

 

 

    Correct answer Monika Gause

    Illustrator likes the linked images in the same folder as the AI file in a folder called "Links". If you link them from other locations then unfortunately you will always end up with the situation you have now

    3 replies

    Progressive Graphics VB
    Progressive Graphics VB
    Inspiring
    July 9, 2020

    As Monika said for AI, the same goes for INDD. If the linked files are in the same folder as the document you are working on, it should find the links automatically on opening. 

    While many suggest the use of a "Links Folder" for your images I personally do that at the completion of the project when I Package the job for output, transfer or archiving. This makes a tidied up final directory with all elements for the job in one place.

    However while working on multiple workstations can cause link loss from machine to machine, if you keep the AI or INDD file in a directory with all the linked files/images etc., loose in the same directory then the AI or INDD file sees these links without issue on opening, no matter which machine opens the document.

    I recommend copying the links to the folder rather than using links from other directories unless storage is a problem. With a server that's not usually the case but then again, I have no idea of the size the files you use.

    Best of luck.

      D
      dbo7353
      Participant
      July 9, 2020

      Thanks for the insight, I'll keep all of this in mind!

       

      We just had an "Images" folder outside of the AI files folder. Now time to do some organizing. 

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      July 9, 2020

      Illustrator likes the linked images in the same folder as the AI file in a folder called "Links". If you link them from other locations then unfortunately you will always end up with the situation you have now

        D
        dbo7353
        Participant
        July 9, 2020

        So in the exact same folder as the AI file, put a folder called "Links" where all of the images will be held?

        D
        dbo7353
        Participant
        July 9, 2020

        Same exact problem here

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